Sorry no picture for this one.

When people find out that I teach music or that my degree is in music, they often ask me what my favorite song is. Don't ask me that. That's like asking a parent which is their favorite child. Do you know how many good songs there are in this world? How am I supposed to pick?!? Well, I have a new song to add to my list of favorites (plural). Greg and I were at church tonight singing, and I did something that I don't usually do. I listened to the words of the song, ha. Usually, I just listen to the melody and that uplifts me more than anything else. The Bible says to "make melody in your heart," but it isn't specific as to how to go about that. So I often try to listen to the words that I am singing, but my heart never fails to drift back to the melody. I truly believe that God gave us music as a foretaste of Heaven. And sometimes when I sing, I close my eyes and pretend that I am there. I often wonder if there is another dimension to music in Heaven that we just can't hear on Earth. But that's getting into some philosophies that would take up waaaaaay to much space and time to write about. Anyways, the point of all this is that there is a song that I have sung a hundred million times (yes, my mother was a math teacher) and never really listened to ALL of the words. When we sang it tonight, I paid attention to what I was singing, and tears came to my eyes. Read all four verses. The last is my favorite, but don't be impatient and jump straight to the end. Read it all.


"IN CHRIST ALONE" words by Stuart Townend

In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this Solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on the cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on Him was laid.
Here in the love of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay, light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again.
And as He stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me.
For I am His, and He is mine,
bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death. This is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus controls my destiny.
No power of Hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand.
Till He returns, or calls me home,
here in the power of Christ I stand.

The Kaminshines

My sister has a blog now, and I am so happy! www.kaminshine.com

Sorry Mom... Dad wants a guitar now.

I brought my new guitar home this weekend to show off (notice I said my guitar and not my playing). Well Dad found it, and I think maybe it stirred up some old memories. Greg came in the room to hear who was playing because he knew it couldn't be me! I was very impressed with his guitar skills... who knew my dad was a rocker?!

Just a Swingin'

Friday morning, Peyton had a check-up at Childrens' Hospital, and all went well... praise! She is staying at my parents' house for a few days, and so they bought her a swing to play on. Yesterday was a little chilly, but Peyton wanted to swing anyways. So Mom and I decided to let her swing inside by putting Pop and Uncle Greg to work! This didn't last too long before our "swing set" got a little too tired, ha. So we decided to bundle up and go outside anyways...


Doesn't this remind you of a princess being carried out in her chariot?!


"Hurry up guys... I don't have all day."


Meanwhile, Lola (or "woh wuh" if you ask Peyton) came to see what was going on.



Peyton loved every second of it, especially swinging high. I think we may have a little daredevil on our hands...

Almost made it...

About a year ago, my mom (who is retired from teaching now) let me go through her old teaching stuff to pick out things for my classrooms. When I saw this "St. Patty's Day" clover, I said I didn't need it, because I didn't think I would make it this far into the year, ha. Well, St. Patty is almost here, and my kids haven't killed me yet. As I hung up the clover today, I thought I would share my milestone with the world.

Our new Life Group Extravaganza

Like I've said over and over, Greg and I had a hard time leaving our old Life Group friends in Little Rock to move up here. But currently, we are going through training to be leaders in our new Life Group... and boy, do we love these people! Friday night, we went to a place in Rogers and bowled, played laser tag, drove go-carts, and played arcade games. (Just a side note: We all took turns hitting a punching bag game, and I hit it harder than my husband.) This is a picture of our group minus about five or six people. I think we are planning our next outing to be a camping trip in April. I'm pretty stoked about it already!

Razorback Reunion

Yup, that's Corliss Williamson in the back.


Greg came home last week and said, "Honey, Gabe called me today, and he has two tickets to the game on Sunday. And they are bringing back all the players from the 1994 Championship team and Nolan Richardson for a reunion!" I was so excited that I started dancing and singing, until Greg continued, "So he asked me to go with him." So I didn't get to go to the game. But Gabe's wife, Lori, came over and we had a good time of our own hanging out together. Obviously, the boys had fantastic seats, and I know Greg had a great time with a long-time friend! Thanks Gabe!

Dave Ramsey would be proud.

Greg and I went to an Italian restaurant in Tonitown for Valentine's Day. I told him not to get me flowers because if he's going to spend money, I would rather have something that won't die! But Greg just couldn't let a holiday go by without getting me flowers, so he bought me the chocolates above... with flowers on the box, ha. He called it a "two-for-one" deal!